Reader Story: Home Haircuts Can Save Time and Money

This guest post from Shannon D is part of the “reader stories” feature at Get Rich Slowly. Some stories contain general advice; others are examples of how a GRS reader achieved financial success or failure. These stories feature folks from all levels of financial maturity and with all sorts of incomes.

My wonderful husband likes to keep his hair short and precise. He works outdoors but dislikes hats, so keeping his hair looking proper is important to him. We live in a rural area without a major chain hair cut shop. While we do have a small barber shop, their hours are very limited. This usually meant that for a monthly haircut we would drive 25 miles to the nearest mall to get his hair cut in the evenings or on weekends at a chain store.

While we usually tried to combine his trip for a haircut with other errands in town, we typically just made it into a dinner evening. So on top of the other costs, we often had an extra dinner out that we not have otherwise enjoyed.

We estimate our costs to have been the following:

$25 per trip in mileage

$18 haircut – including the tip

A solid two hours spent getting a haircut

With this happening once monthly, we were spending $516 per year — not including dinners — and 24 hours of time getting his hair cut.

Note: My own hair expenses are not cheap — not factoring in fuel since I get my hair cut while in town for work — and cost us about $300 per year.

We decided to try something different, not because of the money so much as the time and convenience lost making the commute just for a haircut. After my husband asking me several times, I finally got the confidence to try cutting his hair. I am no cosmetologist. My haircutting experience includes buzzing my brother’s hair — at his request — in high school and shaving my long-haired dog during the summer. And I should mention that my husband’s haircut is not a simple buzz. It made me nervous.

So, I bought a pair of clippers for $25 about three years ago. I went with my husband to get his hair cut and carefully watched what the barber did. It really didn’t seem too complicated. When we got home, we opened up the clippers and matched up which guards to use based on the length of his freshly-cut hair. I labeled which guard to use in which section of his head. This gave us a blueprint of sorts.

Over the past few years, we’ve learned a few tips that may help you with your own home haircut adventures, if you decide this might be for you.

Cut hair outside if possible. Little hairs are hard to sweep and can make cleanup frustrating. Outdoors is much less stressful.

Cut hair regularly. Long hair is harder on the clippers and makes the cutting process slower.

Keep notes. We found that nail polish is the best way to label clipper guards.

Don’t buy the cheapest clippers. We learned this clipping the dog. The $10 models are pretty disposable. You’re better off paying more to get better quality.

Maintain your equipment. Use the lubrication and cleaning brush that come with your clippers to maximize their life.

Our home haircuts have been successful. My husband loves the ease of making appointments, and I like the money savings. Not every haircut is perfect, but I’ve gotten better over time. And we do still get him a professional hair cut at least once a year. The professional cut gives me a fresh template, and helps make me feel that I’m doing it correctly. But we’ve never had someone look at his hair and ask, “Who cut that?” We think that indicates success.

We’re about due for a new pair of clippers. But we figure that with the $25 investment we’ve saved almost $1400 over the past three years. But the cost savings hasn’t been the best part. The best part has been saving time. Plus, each haircut means one-on-one time with each other. It’s a great time for us to reconnect and really visit. We’ll continue these haircuts for years to come as a way to save and bond.

Reminder: This is a story from one of your fellow readers. Please be nice. After more than a decade of blogging, I have a thick skin, but it can be scary to put your story out in public for the first time. Remember that this guest author isn’t a professional writer, and is just learning about money like you are. Henceforth, unduly nasty comments on readers stories will be removed or edited.

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Well I did it! Today I gave both of my boys a haircut. Last time I took them to the barber I was not happy with the results. The hair was not cut evenly and I asked my boyfriend who cuts my hair to fix them. So earlier this week I looked at the boys and said, “This week you are getting haircuts”. I wanted to wait until they were out of school before I tried doing it myself. My youngest went first. I was a little nervous as I put the 1/2″ attachment on the clippers and turned them on. My boyfriend coached me on technique and supervised, giving me tips along the way. Well it was not hard. I wanted the younger one to have it shorter for the summer, so it was pretty much same length all over. Afterwards I took the attachment off and trimmed the sideburns and neckline. Scissors around the ears. It looked great. Then the older one, he wanted to keep it longer on top, so I clippered the sides, and then did scissor over comb cutting on top. My boyfriend did most of that. I did the sideburns and the neckline like my younger. OK, both were done. Brushed each off and then into the showers to rinse off the loose hair. After their hair dried I followed up to inspect my work. A few stray hairs needed attention, but I was extremely pleased with the result. My older son’s hair looked great, better than what he got at the barber shop. My younger one kept looking in the mirror and saying he looked handsome 🙂 I did it, no mess ups and I saved $30 for the two haircuts, plus time and travel. The results were great and I figure at roughly 10 haircuts each a year, I will save $300 a year plus time and fuel costs. Afterwards my mother saw the boys and complimented how nice their haircuts looked. She was surprised when I told her I (with a little help) did them. Needless to say I will not be taking them back to the barber anytime soon when I can get better results at home :).

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John

I clipper cut my hair for about 8 years and probably saved a lot of money. However, when I got nearer 30 (now late 30s), I realized a little more hair and style was needed. I now go to a rather expensive ($32/cut) salon. However, at my age I feel having stylish, well cut hair is worth the cost. While being cost conscious for personal care/hygeine is important, it is important to consider the personal value of having attractive hair, skin, clothing, etc.

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dwight

I have been cutting my own hair myself for 20 years using a flowbee. order 1 for yourself and get your hair done perfectly every time.

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KeepingMyWitts

I stumbled across your site and found this story on home haircuts and just had to comment. I have been cutting my own hair for years. I keep it long with bangs. It took me awhile to get the bangs just right, really paid attention when I went to the salon.

I also started going gray in my twenties. Started using those horrible temporary color rinses. One day, after totalling the damage to carpet, wallboard, towels, etc., and the expense, I decided to go with what God gave me.

I have to admit that the one year growing out all this so-called “temporary” color was horrible; wore my hair up quite a bit. But I did survive and now have totally natural color.

But I get compliments on my naturally silver/gray hair all the time by complete strangers, men and women, who are not trying to sell me anything. Think Emmy Lou Harris.

I remember years ago, I overheard a hairdresser tell someone that they encourage women to get their hair cut short because then they have to keep coming back more often, more $$$$ to the hairdresser.

And they always want to send product home with you. It got way too expensive.

Love your website, I’ll be back.

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Tristian

Mum has cut Dad’s hair with clippers for years, and I think he looks much better than he did before.

Loved this post. The other day I didn’t want to wait at the salon after work so I just cut my hair (about 2 inches) off myself. I have long hair so it’s easier to keep it looking straight. And it justifies the deep conditioning treatments I like to get…

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C.W.

I have been cutting my own hair for years, with Wahl clippers. My hair grows very fast, so this is by far a money-saving (money not-spending) activity. I wear my hair very short, use a mirror for the back, and just cannot imagine PAYING someone to cut it-especially some of the amounts I have seen in these comments. By the way, I am female, and live in a very windy area. My short hair doesn’t blow in my face, or get tangled.

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Susan

I’ve been cutting my husband’s hair for most of our 23 year marriage as well as our 7 sons (not a typo!) hair since they were born. The oldest boy is now 18. I can’t even begin to calculate how much we’ve saved on haircuts!!!

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Drew C.

If you’re doing your own hair it really depends on how long you keep your hair. I have mine pretty short on the sides, and I use scissors on the top. It seems to work pretty well. Also, mirrors are necessary for the back if you want it to look neat. Otherwise, just get someone you trust to keep the back looking good!

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Bubamaramama

I am a wife and mother of three boys who’s been cutting everyone’s hair for years.
It started with my first husband who was military. We got my mom’s old handmedown clippers, and I watched him get his hair cut. We were young and poor and both willing, so it was totally worth it. It took a while to get my skills and confidence up. At first he got a barber shop cut every other cut and me in the meanwhile. That was a kind of “insurance” that I wouldn’t screw it up too badly. And, if it was really bad, we could just clipper it even shorter all over ;), after all that would just match many other guys on base! haha. It didn’t take long before we were cutting at home 100%.
That was 18 years ago. I cut my current husband’s hair, who is much more picky, but still happy with my cuts. And now our three little boys’ hair. I can’t imagine taking the time, money, and stress to wrangle them to/at a barber. Home is much more convenient. I am not the fastest hair cutter, but they all get compliments on their hair ALL THE TIME. You can do this!!
The boys have regular “little boy” haircuts, not buzzes, by the way. There is the option of “Army hair” if it’s summer or we really mess up the cut. No bigs and everyone’s happy!
I ditto the advice to cut outside. If you can’t, do it on a hard floor, and keep a trashcan handy for the first chunks of hair you can just put them in there directly. As soon as you are finished, sweep and vacuum and everyone takes a shower!
We also have the advantage of straight or slightly wavy hair.
On women’s hair, I love shorter hair but it’s just not something I could ever keep up with constant appointments, even with the amazing discounts of going to the salon on base ($15 for a really great ladies’ cut?!?!?) So my hair always ended up growing out.
With longer hair, you can easily cut it yourself or have a friend do it. GET INSTRUCTIONS from the Long Hair Forum community. Great easy instructions to trim it yourself. I have used the method from that site a few times personally with success.
Also, there is nothing unprofessional about cutting your own hair for women. If it is medium long or longer, you should be wearing it contained in a braid or updo at work anyway. No one will know if your ends aren’t perfectly even. Nothing is more polished and professional than a French twist or coiled bun! And, with practice, long hair in an updo is super fast and practical. I have thigh length hair and three preschool boys! Not a one of my friends’ hair looks better.

Learn to go with your natural hair (color, type) and find a simple cut to save a ton of money, time, and effort.

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AAsyed

After getting married in 07 i moved to other state i didn’t find a single hairstylist who can cut my hair as i wanted so now when ever i visit my mom i treat my self with a hair cut. Its a regular hair cattery nothing fancy but the person who cuts my hairs knows what i want. I don’t mind getting a hair cut under $20 every six months. We started doing my husband hair cut from this year.I am trying my best to be professional after cutting my husbands hair i so give my 3 years old a hair cut. I think its a nice family activity and saves money too.

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Aiste

I’ve been cutting my boyfriend’s hair for months now. He bought clippers for 34$ and one trip to the barber shop is 25$, so it paid off fast. It’s actually pretty fun for me and I enjoy doing it. He takes me out a lot, might as well do something nice in return.

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Lisa

When my daughter was little, I tried to trim her bangs a few times but always messed them up. A neighbor told me about another neighbor who would come to my home and cut my daughter’s hair for a really good price. With my sons, I learned to use clippers. After a few years, my husband starting letting me use clippers on him. Now I’m at the point where I can cut short hair with scissors. And I finally learned to cut my hair straight with a Flowbee, but its really difficult to do your own hair unless its really short.

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Chris

Don’t be intimidated by it. I’ve been cutting my own hair for a few years with clippers, and it is not a simple buzz cut. It’s not that hard. I don’t have any great tips other than to take it slow keep practicing.

It’s great. I can cut my hair how I like it whenever I need to. Before I would go to a chain and explain it all to a new girl each time, or find someone I trust, but wait weeks to get an appointment.

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Triple E

I’ve been doing this for years. In college, a few of us guys shared a set of clippers and cut hair to save money. For me and another guy who buzzed our heads regularly (simple and hid that I was going bald at 18), it was a no brainer, and a good place to start. A couple guys were best at the clippers (one had grown up on a farm and helped clip animals, the other had been friends with a punk band and helped do their heads) and quickly got comfortable giving real haircuts to everyone else.

At some point, I went bald enough that I kept up the buzzing (usually with someone’s help since mine is messy and slow) or shaving, so this has been a huge savings. Clippers are cheap and last a while, and you can buy a bunch of Mach 3 razors for cheap at Costco.

On a more useful note to the hair-burdened, I also sometimes cut a straight line on my fiance’s hair when hers gets too long. Nothing complicated, but just a quick trim. When she needs a real stylist, we have one who comes to our house. It’s cheaper since she doesn’t have the overhead of a shop (or contracting to someone with one).

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bethh

My hair is pretty forgiving of hack jobs, and my college roommate cut my hair for a few years.

However, hair cutting is an art/skill that I’ve learned I do NOT have – both times I tried cutting hair it ended in tears. So, if you try this route, be prepared to pay some money for cleanup. Or don’t ask me to do it anyway 🙂

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SarahT

My mum bought a good pair of scissors shortly after she and my dad got married in 1969. Now, 43 years later, that same pair of scissors is still going strong and she has cut his hair ever since. He’s probably gone to a barber just a handful of times (I can’t remember it ever happening!).

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Bareheadedwoman

remember when all scissors were made of all metal from grips to blades? those were the days…

I scour yard sales for those things; you can always bring metal back to life.

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Matt

When I started balding and got sick of paying for a full hair cut (less hair to cut at the same price??) I started just shaving my head twice a week. It’s really easy and rather quick.

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retireby35

I am more shocked by how much money per trip in mileage it costs.

It is stated that it costs $25 per trip in mileage and the distance is only 50 miles round trip (25 miles each way).

At $4/gallon (the cost in Los Angeles) that means you use up 6.25 gallons for your 50 miles roundtrip. Now for 50 miles/6.25 gallons that means your vehicle only gets 8 miles per gallon?? You need to buy a more fuel-efficient car.

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Courtney

They’re probably using the standard government mileage rate of $0.51 per mile, which figures in all the costs of driving use and wear (gas, maintenance, insurance, etc).

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Shannon

A Good pair of cutting scissors, clippers, and a comb has saved us thousands over the years. I cut all four of my kids’ hair, and periodically my husbands. That $20 savings per person per month makes a big difference in the budget!

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Jessie : Improved

I’m female and cut my own hair (medium/long length with side-swept bangs). It’s super easy as long as you find a style you’re comfortable with cutting, and I feel like my hair looks pretty nice as far as I can tell.

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PFM

My wife has cut my hair for about 10 years, I can’t remember the last time I went to a barber shop. She did cut the kids hair when they were younger but now just gives them trims. One of her friends used to work in a salon and gives haircuts at her house, we pay her $10 for each child. I think every new parent should pick up hair cutting as a skill, the clippers will pay for themselves within the first few haircuts.

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louisa @ TheReallyGoodLife

Some lessons I’ve learned from frugal haircutting:

1) Having long-ish curly hair is very forgiving for home trims.

2) I’d very much +1 “the decent clippers are worth it” note in the article. I’d add that mains-powered clippers are also far better than battery ones as they’re more powerful and last longer (since the rechargeable battery is often the thing that breaks on cheaper ones).

3) If you do have to go to a hairdresser, look outside of shopping centres/malls or city centres: my local in the suburbs hairdresser is half the cost of the ones in the city centre 10 miles away and since he’s brilliant, the cut is just as good.

4) A lot of barbers here offer “ladies’ trims” for a fraction of the cost of a unisex hairdresser at a salon – the difference being they’re dry cut rather than wash/cut/dry + style — which is a cheap alternative if you just want a simple trim.

5) At a salon, look at their price list to see if it’s cheaper to skip bits of it – I often skip the dry/style stage and it cuts the price in half. I can go home and do my own thing with it for that money 😉

6) Some salons that usually work on an appointments system have cheaper rates for on-the-day drop in customers so if you’re willing to chance it, that can save money too.

7) Hairdressing college cuts get a bad rap sometimes but me & my forgiving hair have had some great cuts from there – and I only had to pay a token amount of money for the products etc. The last cut I had at a hairdressing college cost me less than a tenth of the price of one at a city centre salon.

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CJ Belle

Wow, I can relate, but in a different way–I started helping my (now) husband grow his hair out; before, his friend used to close shave it in college, till he “knicked” the back of his head (ouch). So I’ve been trimming, washing, detangling, and styling (via twisting), and maintaining my husband’s hair (you may realize we have a different texture hair from most of you by this point in my comment, lol). And now I maintain his Brotherlocks (wash, and re-tighten). I took a class (invested money) to learn how to do this, and it’s been a blessing for our time together as well.

And no, I’m not a hair stylist, I just happen to have some skills learned from helping folks in college with their hair, as well a ministry I did a few years ago with helping moms in my church learn how to do their daughters’ natural hair.

So yes, we have “not spent” (as opposed to “saved”—my husband would agree with the former) money on hair cutting/styling for over 10 years.

Same for me as well; I washed, styled, trimmed, deep conditioned my own hair for almost 11 years, with the occasional press (3x’s a year), which I’ve stopped totally in the last 3 years. Needless to say, we’ve “saved” (or not spent) A LOT of money, since “our” haircare industry is billions of dollars–and we’re happy NOT to be a huge part of that since 2001. 🙂

Cheers 🙂

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BrokeElizabeth

This is great advice, even for women with short hair.

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Temperament

Ha! Ha! My wife has been my barber since our wedding. That is for more than 37 years already.

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Steve

After my local barber retired, the next barber literally burned to the ground, the next barber was an a-hole I was stuck with $25+tip hair salon. Couple visits their and figured forget this. Bought a pair of clippers for $25 and have been laughing since. Plus I don’t procrastinate as much and don’t get all shaggy. So on top of saving money I have actully started looking a bit more put together at the office, which pays off even more. 🙂

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cheryl

Smart man. Getting your act together. At Home haircuts are not rocket science, barbers and stylists are not PHD’s. They are high school drop outs or votech grads. With a little reserch and prctice, the average lady or guy can give a pro grade haircut. What do the trade schools do? Show them videos, the hands on and practice. Why can’t a more educated lady or guy do the same? Buy the right tools, and practice. My results are no less professionl than your hach jobs 🙂

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Abbie

Great advice. My husband and I save cash by having his mother cut his hair. She does have the experience. She’s been cutting his hair between barber visits for his whole life.
But I would love to learn to cut it myself. He has made it very clear that it’s not gonna happen. But he used to feel that way about cuddling too ;}

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Rachel

I love your story! What a great way to save $ & spend time together! I am very lucky for the most part when it comes to paying or not paying for haircuts! My own are costly but now I wear my hair up so I have found I can get away w/out going all the time like I used to. I am very lucky that my husband & boys go to our local barber shop for their haircuts for free! The reason is it is my cousins family business that was passed down to him! It has been in the family for some time! He always gives out lollipops to the younger customers so as a thank you we never go without bringing him a bag of lollipops!That’s our payment, haircuts=lollipops!:-)

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Bareheadedwoman

haircuts are a good homey place to invest/dividend social capital or trade/barter skills.

My great aunt used to own the only “beauty salon” for miles ’round in a small town. My grandmother (and me, and mom on visits, and whoever we brought) got to get whatever we wanted done whenever we wanted. It was all covered by my bookkeeper grandmother doing her taxes.

When my aunt finally sold the shop …talk about saved money lost.

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Nick

I am a HUGE advocate of home haircuts. I’ve been doing this for several years now and have saved hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I’ve had to buy a few razors, but even so – a quality razor is the cost of 2, MAYBE 3 haircuts. Well worth it in my book.

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Mike

I’m quite envious! My hair grows like a weed where I need to get cut every three weeks at $18 a pop. So that’s $306 just to maintain my mane. Clippers are definitely a worthwhile investment once your SO gets accustomed to cutting you hair.

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DonB

I started cutting my wife’s hair about 15 years ago. She kept it long, and without bangs. We got started doing it when going together to get our hair cut. They’d charge me $13 for a guy’s cut and it would take 20 minutes. It’d take 5 minutes to trim hers straight across and they’d charge her $20 for a women’s cut. And often she was dissatisfied with the straightness.

Over the years, she’s had different lengths, but after our daughter was born she decided to wear it shorter. I still go to a barber, and I’ve found them to be a great resource. I often ask about techniques, and people love to talk about their jobs. “If you have clippers, you can trim here with them. But if you don’t, then you can use a comb and a scissors like this…”

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cheryl

Great for you John,
It is that bonding and communication that keeps families together, no woman whose husband cuts her haie regularly fils for divorce, but the salon is full of them. Satan and his Lawyers love the salons and gossip.

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Julie @ Freedom 48

I’ve been cutting my husbands hair since we first started dating – I was 15 and he was 18. He wanted me to cut his hair, but I had no confidence, so we went to the barber once. I paid close attention to what they did… and tried to re-create it. On the upside, we’ve saved tons of time and money over the past 13 years. On the downside… he’s had the same haircut for the past 13 years! lol.

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Carrie

This might work for men, but as a girl who has tried the self-cut before, it is generally inadvisable for those of the female persuasion. I have found it far more economical to get a really fabulous haircut four times a year and let it grow out in between. A great cut in a medium or long hair can last 3 months; the technique doesn’t work for short hair. But you have to find a very talented stylist to pull it off.

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El Nerdo

Not just bad for women, but for anyone whose job depends at least partly on a their image. Do you speak in public as a part of your job? Get a decent haircut. Wanna climb the corporate ladder and have minions work for you? Get a decent haircut. Want to get elected for some sort of public post? Get a decent haircut. Wanna play your guitar in a stadium? Get the right haircut for that (maybe your drummer can do it).

I used to shave my head when I worked construction during my days in the wild– washing the cement off my jewfro was a mess and nobody at work cared what I looked like.

More recently I bought clippers and cut my own hair when I moved with my wife to a small rural town for a few years– everyone had bad haircuts and I didn’t stand out and we had hard water and shampooing was laborious.

Now that I live again in an urban environment and I’m trying to grow my business, I try to look presentable when I meet clients, and I consider my bimonthly haircut a necessary business expense. Yes, I do “creative” work and don’t need an overly polished look, but I can’t look like I have birds nesting in my head either–even madness requires moderation.

Besides, my wife hated the old buzzcuts and loves the jewfro. I don’t look at myself in the mirror much, so I personally don’t care, but $12.5/month isn’t much to pay for marital harmony. I pay happily.

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Bareheadedwoman

so you are advising that if you “can” save money in this department, don’t ever anyway…?

Seems to me that was what this article is about: if you want and can save money this way, here’s how to do it.

Besides, there are some of us talented enough at our appearance to fool even professionals and “can” save money this way. Wouldn’t try sewing my own clothes but if I were a talented enough amateur to get compliments from a professional, you bet I’d be saving money that way too–knitted sweaters not withstanding.

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Courtney

Mkay, so I’m not sure if this is bad or not but when you said “jewfro” the only image that popped into my head was the kid that plays Jacob Ben Israel on ‘Glee’: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0839933/

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cheryl

Would you respect a supplier who promised quality product, then gave you rotten fruits and vegetables, or expired milk and eggs? I don’t either. I do my research and know my capabilities. I get a great haircut at home for free. A classic cut, not a hack job, that I am told is the style like a leisure suit, platform shoes, a mullet or a sonic the hedgehog cut. My customers expect a professional image, I cannot afford to let a stylist hack my hair to make me look like an a$$. Thet don’t understand professionalism. They have been taught to sell crap. I’m noy buying crap.

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stellamarina

When my husband lost his job about 20 years ago, haircut costs were one of the first things we stopped. I grew my hair long and husband and teen sons cut each others hair with an electric clipper. ( I am old enough to remember my mother using a non electric clipper on my father’s hair.) Daughter’s hair was trimmed by me.

If you know how to cut or even just buzz hair and are heading off to college, take a hair clipper with you and make some money off it from your fellow students.

Remember those hairclippers they were selling on TV several years ago that had some sort of vacuum attached so your hair would stand up and you could cut your own hair. I know a lady who uses one of these to self cut her hair and she does a good looking job with it.

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Casey

Really?!!! A post on haircuts? Not what I would expect on GRS.

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Andrew

If you’re going to cut hair at home, more power to you! Just be sure to show the results to a neutral critic who will be honest about how the haircut looks.

Just as that crocheted Christmas sweater from your aunt is beautiful to her and hideous to everyone else, so a home haircut can look good to the stylist when in reality it’s appallingly bad. Pride in craftsmanship can be thoroughly misplaced.

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MamaMia

I wonder how much money you’d save if you just sent your husband to the local barber. Chances are, in this economy the barber would adjust his hours for him if you only asked ahead of time. More money going into your local economy + cheaper cut for your husband = WIN.

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Anonymous

Best thing I ever did was find a good hair school. I am lucky that one of the best hair schools in the nation is near me and their cuts are great. Their cuts are $18 compared to salons around here (DC area) that charge $65 and up.

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Becky+P.

My husband bought a set of hairclippers for about $80 (!) when we first came to Poland. Yikes, it was so expensive, but we couldn’t find cheaper ones. Those same clippers are still going. We had 3 sons at home (plus husband), who have all gotten haircuts with those clippers. I mark each time I give them a haircut.

I’ve used those clippers for 230 haircuts with those clippers since 1995. I don’t cut hair as often as some, apparently.

This is a task I really don’t enjoy doing though–it was a cost-saving device that we felt we had to do. I wish I did enjoy it. I keep hoping that by the time we get down to “0” boys at home, my husband can just go to the barber–if he has enough hair to warrant it!

It is true, however, that the convenience is great. I can cut hair well into the evening–it’s not a problem. The only problem is my attitude.

They do now have cheap hair clippers here for sale now. At least the ones we bought have lasted this long and have brought the cost of the haircuts down to well under .50 per (probably even including electricity).

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Damian Hole

Until about a month ago I was going to the barber once a week to get my head shaved with a cutthroat.

Then one week I couldn’t make it, so decided to try it myself with a regular razor. It was even easier than shaving my face. So now I do it myself and am saving myself $30 per week.

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peter xyz

suggestion – outside, on a stool, preferably on concrete, etc. Use to use an old sheet with a hole in the middle to keep the hair off the person.
If they’ve got thicker hair, consider getting a pair of “thinning scissors”.
Also if you’re using scissors, make sure they get sharpened regularly.

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Jerome

You can save even more money if you let him cut your hair! 😉

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Caroline

I started cutting my husband’s hair at home about a year ago. He just keeps it clipped short, so it doesn’t take a genius to operate the clippers.

However, he still bickers with me about technique every time — which is funny, since we’re not a couple who tends to bicker otherwise. “Why aren’t you cutting the top?” “Because like the instructions say, I’m cutting the sides and back first, and then I’ll cut the top.” “Go up farther! Follow the plane of the head!” “I AM following the plane of the head.” “Slow down! SLOW DOWN!” “How the heck much slower do you want me to go?!”

Someone else in this thread mentioned a clipper made so that you could use it on yourself more easily. I think that’s what he needs!

But seriously — we bought a clipper set for $30. Even compared to the cheapest possible barber, the clipper set paid for itself after about 4 haircuts. Plus, when he needs a haircut, he can just ask me whenever we both happen to be home and we’ll be done in 15 minutes tops.

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Rosa

I used to cut my husband’s hair, but now he shaves his head entirely. All it costs is extra razor blade usage. As for my own, after my hairdresser moved to another country, I tried a few others, & have yet to find one I like. So I grew my hair long. Since I’m an academic, I don’t have to keep a corporate look, & I’ve gotten a number of compliments from people who say the longer hair is flattering. So now hair care is free in our house, more or less. I used to dye my hair, at great expense, every six weeks at a salon. No more.

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Bareheadedwoman

I grew up a natural blonde in a world of blonde, natural or not. I started with blue hair in 7th grade and spent the next 15 years with every color in crayon box (‘cept green) before I settled on red.

Then I moved north to the world of brunette and streaked blonde (and $250 coloring jobs). So, after 5 or so years, I went back to a natural chamomile rinse in the winter and sunshine in the summer.

I’m always amazed by how many girls and women stop me in the street to ask me who colors my hair.

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Bella

I have naturally blonde hair. In the summer I make sure I keep it braided to get nice highlights. I think most people assume I color my hair – because I don’t know any other natural blondes. As it gets darker I think maybe I should go get it lightened – and then I remind myself that my hair getting darker is a sign that I haven’t spent enough time outside in the fresh air – so I should make that a priority instead of spending $100 on sunshine in a bottle.

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Bareheadedwoman

braids! what a lovely idea; gonna try that.

Although now days, my secret is that those lovely white-blonde “highlights” so admired is really my “grey” hair coming in white…

😉

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doug_eike

My father used to cut my hair, and in the Navy, my shipmates and I used to cut each others’ hair. This is a great way for families to save money. I’ve tried to cut my own hair with mixed results–eventually, I have to go to a stylist to straighten it out. Thanks for the tips.

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CERB

I started cutting my husband’s hair 25 years ago when he was in the Marine Corps and needed his hair cut every week. He still likes it cut short and simple. I always cut my children’s hair when they were growing up (checked out a how-to video from the library for instructions). Recently, my son bought his own pair of clippers at college and is now cutting his own hair and it looks great.

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Bob

My wife cuts my hair as well as her own and plans to cut our daughter’s when she’s old enough to need one. I haven’t had a professional cut in close to 9 years now. I think the key for my wife was to actually put in the effort to learn – watch youtube videos, read, etc. She does a great job and is far more reliable than any professional I’ve gone to (which, to be fair, has always been fantastic sam’s level).

Now we’re needing to get some haircutting supplies and struggling with what to get. We’re moving up a bit and want to get good scissors, thinning shears, and a new buzzer, but have no idea what is good. We’re starting to do our research now and budgeting for it. Anything we spend on these tools will still be far, far less than having to get our hair professionally cute several times a year.

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Andy

My girlfriend has cut my hair for 2+ years. It was a one-time cost of $25 for the clippers, and that was it. With a $15 cost ay the barber, I’ve saved hundreds of dollars already.

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Mary

I have cut my hubss and 2 son’s hair for 10 years now. It started when my oldest son was little and the barber wanted $18 dollars! We cut hair every 3 weeks, outside if possible, they line up and we’re done in about 30 minutes. We have saved a fortune in money and time. Now my Dad and brother ask for a cut when I’m around, I only do 3 styes so they have to tell me who they want to look like!

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Sleeping mom

Mu two-year-old’s hair is nice and wavy so we figured we could get away with cutting his hair at home instead of at a salon. I’m sure there are patches of unevenness but since his hair is wavy it’s not as obvious. So far we’ve et to have to pay to get his hair cut! I doubt he could hold still anyway at a salon and would freak out so all around it seems better to just cut his hair at home.

As for me though, I still end up shelling out money for a salon cut. I don’t go often, maybe twice a year since my hair is long anyway.

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Heather

We have the same issue – trying to find a time to take my son to get his hair cut was inconvenient so I started clippering him at home. Much easier to be able to do it when he was in a receptive mood than to guess, have to drive around, sit and wait somewhere while toddler goodwill melts away!

My husband likes his hair short and wants a cut every two weeks and its been much more convenient and cost-effective to do it at home. My son now likes his hair longer so I found some how to videos on You Tube and have been using scissors to cut it and its not too bad.

I will add, you can purchase replacement blades for clippers online. Ours were starting to get dull and I thought I was going to have to buy a whole new clipper set but was delighted to discover I could get new blades and with one screw it was easy to replace and made a huge difference! The new blades cost me about $10.

Only once did my husband come home and say that the guys at work kept telling him the only difference between a good hair cut and a bad hair cut was about two weeks…

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cc

i help buzz my husband’s hair, but he’s certainly not volunteering to cut mine (i wouldn’t let him anyway!). i have thick, long wavy hair. i’ve had so many bad haircuts over the years- tying a scarf around my head and tearing up on the way home because NOW I LOOK LIKE A BEATLE, that it’s not worth it to me to skimp anymore.
i found a pro that costs $120 (100 + tip), and i make it out there 2-3 times a year. he magically makes me look like a rock star each and every time, and i get a lot of compliments on my hair. at my friends’ insistence i finally tried a cheaper place, and guess what? the stylist was so dense and the cut was so very awful, i ran directly back to my regular salon after the cut and begged them to take me as an emergency appointment, i ended up dropping a lot of money that day when i could have just gone to the nice place the first time.
i work from home so everyday appearance isn’t vital, but i do make it out to a lot of shows and industry events, i prefer to be well-groomed. it’s a pretty fashionable industry too, i’ve purposely avoided events when my hair was just too long and unruly until i could get it styled (it sounds silly when i type it out, but you didn’t see my hair that day).
so anyway, buzzers for the mister, stupid expensive stylist for myself.

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Savvy Scot

I also cut my own hair – the £40 investment in hair clippers has probably seen the best return ever!
Not only does it save money and is quicker to do it myself, my hair grows very fast and I can keep it under control. By cutting with clippers, my hair is always neat, I save time in the morning and I don’t spend much on hair products (shampoo goes a LONG way) 🙂

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Economically Humble

“Its okay to spend money on things that make money” will certainly be a post of mine this week. Back in college I would clipper my own hair. It was cheap, easy, and worked beautifully. Now, however, I have to say that a scholarly and clean look is something people see and something that matters when I present, brief, or interview. Though it pains me to say it, I, nor my partner can cut hair worth a squat, so we have it done (if one of us could do it well, you bet we would!). It also pains me to say this, but sometimes its okay to spend money on something that will bring more money… haircut, shoes, bag…. and resulting look. The challenge is not to go overboard and to save/pay for the items in cash.

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Kris

If you can make it work, and look good, go for it! I cut my kids hair (all boys) while they were growing up until an unfortunate incident that left hubby taking one to a salon for an emergency buzz cut (I have no idea what I did, but it was awful!).

After that, I left it up to the girls at the salon. But we live in a large city with lots of chain shops, and the boys/men all cost less than $20 every 6 weeks or so. I get my long hair cut and coloured about once every 6-8 weeks privately, so the cost has gone from $140 once a month to $100 6-8 times a year – much less $$.

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Chad

I’m a guy in my 30s and I’ve been cutting my own hair for 15 years. I buzz the back and sides with a mirror, then cut the top. Just couldn’t stand paying for haircuts and I know the look I’m going for.

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El Nerdo

Right, but that trip is shared with other errands or dinner, so the time is not “a solid 2 hours spent getting a haircut”, it’s a solid 2 hours eating, and doing other things, etc. Unless this haircut place is *really* slow.

The cost of travel should also be shared by the other errands. $25 in gas for a haircut is a waste, $25 for supermarket shopping, car repairs, the feed store and dinner out is not unusual in rural areas.

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I Am 1 Percent

I would just work around the local barber shop rather than spend all this time, energy, and money making it an “outing”, with dinner and all.

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Becka

I’ve been cutting my own hair for about fifteen years (and I’m a woman! gasp!), but I wouldn’t ever really expect it of anyone else.

I do kind of wish my husband would just get a haircut period. :-/

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Nancy Man

I’ve been cutting my own hair for years as well.

I’ve had my husband help me out a few times, but usually it’s just me.

Thankfully my hair is long & curly, so minor mess-ups are invisible. If it were straight, I’m not sure how great my self-haircuts would look.

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Norman

Everytime someone talks about cutting their own hair I always think of the Flobee. Consumerism at its best! or worst! Not sure which.

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Walker N. Picker

I’ve used a Flowbee for years – love it and has saved me a ton of money – as funny at they seem, they do work.

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steff

As a 20 something female I want to chime in and say women can cut their own hair too! I have had my hair all lengths, from below my shoulders to my chin. I started cutting it in high school when my Mom decided I ought to pay for my own hair cuts. About once a year I decide that I’m sick of cutting it myself and pay someone to do it – and am quickly reminded that doing it myself not only saves me money, it saves me frustration. With women’s salon cuts costing well over $50 with tip, I have easily saved over a thousand dollars.

Does it look 100% perfect, wash and dry? No. But I have never gotten that from a professional either. I get compliments on my hair frequently!

And, of course, I cut my husband’s hair and my dog’s hair too 🙂 It is a family money saving affair.

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barnetto

A girl I knew in college cut her own hair.

We all looked at her in horror/surprise when she told us, but her hair looked great. Most of our surprise was that it looked good, it wasn’t short, and we wondered how she did the back.

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Bareheadedwoman

Lots of instruction videos on youtube with girl’s doing their own hair.

The biggest hurdle I find with others’ willingness to accept or try (other than when the opposing opinion is a professional, and is defending the existence of the profession) is how attached they are to their hair and/or appearance. Not everyone is comfortable with the philosophy of “eh, it grows back.”

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steff

Yep – I dont get that. If you cut it, and it looks awful, you’ll go get a professional hair cut.. and be right back where you started! I have trouble believing that there are many mistakes a hairdresser couldn’t fix if you really botched it (short of bald spots).

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Chris

I have my wife cut my hair and I cut my son’s hair. My son is 8 and I tell him that he can have any haircut he wants but if he wants his hair longer than my “2 guard special” he will need to comb it every day. He chooses short hair every time.

I use the bathroom for haircuts. We bought a cordless vacuum/sweeper for cleaning up after haircuts. It works great! Plus the bathroom floor actually gets swept much more frequently than it would otherwise.

I save tons of time and money with every haircut.

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Jennifer Gwennifer

I had a boyfriend once who cut his own hair with clippers, but also used the vacuum cleaner WHILE he was cutting it. He would hold the clippers in one hand and follow them with the vacuum hose held in his other hand. He still had to clean up the bathroom when he was done, but it was a lot less work!

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Angie

That sounds like my husband, “cut it short enough that I won’t have to comb it.”

Cracks me up 🙂

And I agree with El Nerdo, the article is a little confusing on time/money equations….

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Ellen

Thank you for giving legitimacy to my idea to cut our own hair since we are now retired. I checked out a DVD at the library on cutting hair at home and it was pretty straight forward. My husband has gone to the same stylist for 21 years so he isn’t quite ready to try it. But, when he is, I’m ready!

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KS

Not for me. I have short hair with layers and some waves. I struggle enough to get a decent haircut (and now live in a city where it’s screamingly expensive; I’ve scored deals at local schools on Groupon and have been very happy). Won’t cut my husband’s hair either. The barber is a 3 minute walk away.

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Courtney

Yep. I have never cut my own hair and don’t ever intend to. It’s thick and needs a lot of layering to not look like a pyramid on my head. I just started getting it highlighted professionally as well. 2 hours and $100 for color and cut with style, and totally worth it.

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Ru

I used to live with a guy who was bald on top but still had fluff at the sides, so I’d shave his head for him. Not with clippers, but properly with a razor. It’s a good way to make a loved one feel special- make an afternoon out of it, give them a hot cloth facial and a neck/head/face massage, then shave face and head. I only wish I’d had time to learn to use a straight razor for a really professional finish.

Doing any kind of beauty thing at home is a good way to cut costs, as long as you’re not too ambitious with the project or precious with your looks. During my wild rebellious teenage years, I was the go to stylist for dying friends hair (I also used to pierce ears but good lord I don’t think it’s right to recommend that! Just so you know, I used professional needles straight out of the packet, fresh each user, and sterilised the jewellery. Never once had a earring get infected and never tried to pierce any other body part).

If you’ve got the time and effort you can save your friends and family a lot of money. I gave my best friend dreadlocks for free when I was 18. It would have cost her upwards of £100 in a salon because they take so long to do. I cut my own fringe if it gets annoying, and have thought about going a bit wilder and cutting my own hair all over, but I need summer employment so it’s difficult.

It’s one thing turning up to art university with a blue mohawk, but I doubt many agencies would look for that in a data entry clerk…

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Bareheadedwoman

When i was growing up in the seventies, my mom always cut my surfer, beach boy dad’s hair. Dad wasn’t picky (and mom determined when it had got too long; dad never noticed until it started getting caught behind his glasses) and he hated spending money on a haircut.

For us kids, it was/is now a cherished family memory. Mom setting up in the kitchen (“hey, come on, mom’s gonna cut dad’s hair!”), us kids watching our big dad huddled on the chair with a towel “bib” and looking like a shaggy blind owl; mom on a stool so she could reach, nose all scrunched up…mom making jokes about “whoops!…” it was hilarious.

Made some of the best kid memories–ever.

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Justin Mazza

I used to cut my own hair in high school but as I got older I paid a professional to do it for me.

I agree about saving time and money cutting your own hair though. Every little bit helps.

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Cindy

If you’re willing to grow your hair out, you can often get it cut for free by donating it to Locks of Love or some other organization. The only cost (excluding travel) is to pay the professional a tip.

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bobj

But the real question is.. would you let your husband cut your hair?

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Diedra B

no. not never.
maybe if he went to beauty school (which he has considered)

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Bareheadedwoman

great. thanks. now I have “beauty school drop out” playin’ in my head.

😉

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Tracey+H

If you read the article again, you’ll see the 2 hours includes the travel time!

I’ve cut my husband’s hair for over 30 years. We’re on our third ‘buzzer’ and this time I went to a beauty supply place and got a really good one (I got tired of the cheap ones dying). He loves not having to take the time to go to a barber. I’ve also trimmed my 20-something daughter’s hair since she was a child. I did take her for a few haircuts, but most of them were so simple that I could do them myself. And I cut my son’s hair until he moved out. Learning on kids’ hair is great! I’d never try cutting my own hair, but I’m thinking that, now that it’s long, I should ask my daughter to trim it for me. I do my own bangs (the twist way) in between visits and they look good. I know not to ask my husband to help with my hair, though. He just doesn’t seem to have “the touch”.

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El Nerdo

No, she said they combine the haircut with other errands or dinner:

While we usually tried to combine his trip for a haircut with other errands in town, we typically just made it into a dinner evening.

Maybe 90 minutes dinner, 30 minutes total at the barber between waiting, getting the cut and paying?

I’m all for self-inflicted haircuts (I own clippers), but the math here is wrong. Either allocate total time and expenses to the full set of errands/activities (not fool’s errands!) or calculate the share of the haircut itself.

Same thing w/ the gas btw.

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Becka

That quote reads to me that they typically are not able to combine the haircut trip with necessary errands, so every part of it – including the dinner – is due to the haircut. So really, she should include the price of the dinner in the cost of the cut.

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Becka

(though I too am a little confused on what the two hours really means. 50 miles driving, plus haircut, plus dinner certainly seems like it should take longer, but 50 miles driving plus haircut for two hours seems absurdly long.)

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El Nerdo

Exactly, include the dinner if it’s “mandated” by the haircut trip. Otherwise no.

—
edit: and yeah, the math is confusing because costs and times aren’t being matched equally it seems

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Bareheadedwoman

sounds like he actually gets his hair done in a walk-in mall hair shop, not a barber shop, because the barber shop is not open when he is home.

and yeah, a rural mall’s walk-in’s timing can take around 45 minute wait…and even if you have an appointment, we all know that beauty shop personnel can over run their allotted time–especially when a prior customer has asked for a special service without notice…and especially if they are contending with a heavy nights of walk-ins.

So to add insult to wallet injury, a lot of the “2 hours” estimate is probably “waiting” and/or browsing the mall waiting–which in and of itself can be an unconscious money drain.

I used to live somewhere where a 15 minute trip could take up to two hours depending on if you got caught by a through freight train, so that 25 miles probably takes longer than 25 minutes, too.

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El Nerdo

$18 haircut – including the tip
A solid two hours spent getting a haircut

What kind of barbershop is this that will take 2 SOLID HOURS to give a man a haircut? It usually takes 5-20 minutes!

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Becka

That includes driving time, I assume.

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El Nerdo

Right, but that trip is shared with other errands or dinner, so the time is not “a solid 2 hours spent getting a haircut”, it’s a solid 2 hours eating, and doing other things, etc. Unless this haircut place is *really* slow.

The cost of travel should also be shared by the other errands. $25 in gas for a haircut is a waste, $25 for supermarket shopping, car repairs, the feed store and dinner out is not unusual in rural areas.

—

EDIT: oh, we’re in the other thread, sorry double comments.

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Y

I am black and my hair really only requires to be shaved with a machine.

The math is easy:
15x = 60
x = 60/15 = 4
+
So after having had my head shaved at home with our own machine 4 times, the shaving machine started paying for itself 🙂

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Jennifer

I cut my husband’s hair with clippers- it’s how his family managed his hair (and his 2 brothers) their whole lives. We spent $40 on clippers at least 5 years ago and they are still going strong.

After I had a BAD haircut several years ago I decided to start cutting my own hair- it couldn’t be any worse than what I paid for. I figured if I messed it up then I would go in and get it fixed. I spent decent money on shears and also a razor with a guard. I ask my husband for help to make sure the back is even. It takes time and practice- but I’ve had people ask who my stylist is multiple times- and then I fess up that I do it myself. And I’ve never ended up with a bad cut- if I noticed something is uneven then I just trim it up.

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Michael in Missouri

Delighted to read this post, since my partner cuts my hair and–more amazingly–has cut his own hair for years!

It started when he had trouble getting any of the local barbers or stylists to do what he wanted with his hair. They always misinterpreted or openly ignored his wishes, and he’d come home and touch up his hair himself. After a while he figured out he could do it himself entirely–multiple mirrors are involved–and when I realized he had gotten the hang of it, I began letting him cut mine. I save $15 a month, or $180 a year, on haircuts; he saves $20 every three weeks, or around $340. So between us, we save over $500 a year.

There is some skill involved and it helps to research what you’re doing before attacking your significant other’s head with the clippers. Summer is a good time to start; if things turn out badly, you can trim everything short and it’ll be less of a problem.

Absolutely invest in a high-quality pair of clippers. Dear Hubby says “not less than $40” is the rule, and keep them clean and oiled.

The only issue we have is that clippers occasionally need to be serviced and we’ve had trouble finding someone locally to do that. Does anyone have advice about where we can look?

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Stacy

I’ve cut my husband’s hair for several years. He has very thick, curly hair and when our clippers needed to be serviced we called in the warranty and sent them back to the manufacturer. They replaced the blades and sent them back as good as new.

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cheryl

My boyfriend sharpened his own scissors, and the pro shears cost him $20 every few years as they are hollow ground requiring a special tooling. So they are good for ten years worth of him cutting my hair and my children’s.
I will have saved thousands. No regrets here. 😉

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babysteps

If you have long hair that’s all one length the ‘at home’ approach may work as well.

My husband cuts my hair. My hair is long and mildly wavy – he cuts it once every 3 months or so outside or (in winter) in the garage. I wash & dry my hair, he cuts with sharpened sewing scissors and at first used masking tape (on the ‘to cut off’ side of the trim line) as a guide.

This and no more highlights or color mean I have saved over $1,000 a year on hair care.

I realize this won’t work for everyone! But I am happy and richer 🙂

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slug+|+sunkcostsareirrelevant.com

I bought some Wahl clippers in 1999 at WalMart. I think I’ve paid for about 3 haircuts since that time for interviews. The savings is unbelievable. Now, if I could only convince my wife…

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KathyinMN

I agree with Annelise, this is just a tip for men (unless you are a woman who keeps it incredibly short). In fact, I had switch to a more expensive conditioner this winter, on the advice of my hair stylist, to combat the winter dry frizzies. And you know what? For the first time in my life, people have complemented me on my hair, including my female manager who said “keep doing whatever it is you’re doing to it!”. Soooo-not a tip for me at least.

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Marianne

Yes I don’t cut my own hair but I do save money by going much less often than most other women I know. I do cut my husbands hair (begrudgingly) and blogged about it a few weeks ago here: http://preservingpennies.com/?p=15

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Ben

I’ve been cutting my own hair for years! I like your tactic yet I think of it on a different financial level. Rather than feel like I am saving money each time I cut my own hair, I feel that I’m not spending money for a haircut. I think “saving” and “not spending” are similar but very different philosophies.

When my girlfriend says she saved $40 by buying a sweater on sale for $20 instead of the sticker price of $60. I say “no, you didn’t save $40. You spent $20.” There’s a big difference and it’s a huge paradigm shift.

Regardless, way to go for doing haircuts and home!

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Andrew

Keep that type of conversation up and you won’t have a girlfriend for too much longer.

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Leah

Or maybe he’ll find a girlfriend with whom he meshes financially, which is probably better in the long run.

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Elizabeth

I think Ben was trying to give an example, not point out a huge relationship flaw that maybe doesn’t exist. I’m not sure why people are imagining he’s nagging his girlfriend about her spending?

I think Ben’s point is interesting because marketers love to throw around the word “save” to get us to buy something, or to buy more. For instance, those Walmart commercials where people brag: “With the money we saved on this, we bought this!” We feel better about our purchases because we got a good deal, even though the price was likely inflated in the first place.

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it means to “not spend” versus “save.” If I don’t spend on something (or I get a discount) does it count as saving if I’m not putting that money into a savings account or investment?

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Anna B

I think it does count. When you are in the mentality of ‘I saved so I bought it’ you end up with a lot you don’t need. I can never get out of my head the scene from the show ‘Extreme Couponers’ – they have a warehouse in their bedroom full of stuff, but they go out and buy more because they can get $200 for $20. A waste of time and money, if you ask me.

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cheryl

Money saved versus not spent. Big difference. I planted a garden this year. Spent about $75 and change for plants, fertilizer, tools, watering, etc. I got over $400 in produce, net was over $300 so far. My boyfriend cuts my hair, and I now cut my children’s hair. whether I paid for the haircuts at the barbershop or salon, we were going to get haircuts. The boys I am seeing better results after $55 Wahl clipper set purchase and my boyfriend giving me training. My bi-monthly haircut is free versus $55 plus tip. I do not spend $900 I would have . That is money still in my budget for groceries, gas, clothes, prescription meds, and school supplies. I think I am being a great mother, putting my children first. Anyone want to argue with that? Too many bad haircuts at the barbershop and salon. Spend your last few dollars before the next payday and feel ashamed how your children’s haircuts look that you paid for? Or look in the mirror and cry? The pro stylists that will tell me I am cheap should bow their heads in shame. They call themselves “pros” and are too lazy to be sure their customers walk out the door wih a decently cut hairstyle. I am saving over $900 a year not giving you my money, because you don’t respect your customers. I am not your problem, you are your problem because you drive your customers away.

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cheryl

No, you will lose a leech and God will give you a great lady. Praise him and He will reward you <

My boyfriend has done multiple “repair jobs” on friends getting salon cuts, that came away crying. I hate to ask him if he will “do a fix” on a friend who went to the salon for a haircut, but he is not a mean progressive, he will help a friend in need. He has taught a number of friends how to cut their ladies hair up front to require repair jobs.

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kiki

Eek, I’d hate to be your friend and always be “corrected” – but I do get where you’re coming from.

However, if she had planned to purchase the sweater for $60 anyway…then she *did* save $40.

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James

For anyone that uses a budget, the qualification for calling it “saving” should be whether you moved that money from the spending budget into savings. If you saved $20 buying the sweater, then that means you moved $20 from your clothing account to you savings account since you got something you needed at a lower price. Keeping it in your clothing account means the money will simply be spent on other clothing, not “saved”.

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Annelise

Have you seen those new clippers that are a circular shape, designed for holding in your own hand while clipping your own hair? My husband wears his hair too long for clipping to be an option, but if you like to wear your hair very short, those could be a good choice. In any case, I think this article is right to point out that men’s haircuts are often so simple or short that going to a salon isn’t always necessary.

As for women, DON’T cut your own hair or get an unqualified friend to do it – you can always tell, and it could harm your career if you turn up at work looking unprofessional. It creates such a poor impression. I know at least three of my friends have tried getting a friend or family member to cut their hair and they all ended up spending money at a salon to correct it (and the corrected haircut had to be much shorter than they wanted it). There are other ways to save on haircuts – a cheaper salon (obviously), a supervised student cut (usually discounted or free) or a mobile hairdresser who doesn’t have the overheads of a salon and is therefore cheaper.

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Elizabeth

Agreed – I saved a lot of money over the years going to hair dressers who worked out of their homes. (I haven’t been so lucky since I moved!)

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Leah

You can’t always tell if someone “unqualified” cuts your hair. My mom cut my hair for years. This was especially great when I kept my hair longer and had a simple layer structure. You can get bad haircuts from professionals too.

The important part is to have a hairstyle that suits you well. And if it happens to be one that is simple to cut, and you know someone who can do it for you for free? All the better!

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Annelise

Leah – yes, you can probably just about get away with an amateur cut if you have very long hair and it’s just a question of trimming the ends (but be careful!), and you’re absolutely right that professionals sometimes give bad haircuts (especially when they don’t LISTEN to what you want!).

And come to think of it, a badly done do-it-yourself cut on a man will create just as bad an impression as on a woman, so it’s definitely something you need to think about carefully depending on your desired hairstyle, skill level and equipment.

Also remember, as my stylist friend reminded me, that cutting hair isn’t just a case of cutting the ends evenly. There’s a lot of work and training that goes into thinning, thickening, layering, razoring etc. that really makes a difference to how your hair looks and feels, and the women here advocating home haircuts perhaps don’t realise how much better a professional cut might feel.

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Leah

I’m not sure what you qualify as “very long,” but, for straight hair, getting a decent cut from the shoulders down really isn’t too difficult.

It’s fine for you to make your own decisions, and I am not saying that you should give home hair cuts a try. But your black and white stance on the issue is off-putting and potentially inaccurate.

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Annelise

No need for that, Leah. I tried to find common ground with you and then you go all nasty comments!

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MamaMia

Totally agree. Nobody guesses that I cut my own hair because I do a good job of it. (I’ve had a few people ask which salon I go to so that they can go there, too.) If you’re just doing a simple bob, which is flattering on most hair and face types, it’s easy to do at home. Even layering is a cinch after a bit of practice. The last few times I’ve been to a salon for a high-priced cut and style I was very disappointed. Truly, I think the reason you don’t know about the many women who cut their own hair well is BECAUSE they do it well (you’d never know unless you asked).

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Cheryl

You are right how a bad haircut really looks goofy. I have received far too many bad ones by the “pros” at the salon. Even when I spent over $75! I get mine cut by my boyfriend at home and mine has never looked better. I get a lot of of compliments on my hair. Especially when he braids it for me. I am done with the salons. And I have saved hundreds, let alone the time, fuel, and aggravation of bad haircuts and listening to the stupid gossip and drama.

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Stephen

I cut my own hair for the exact same reason. Time. 20 minutes every few weeks really beats having to go wait in a barber shop.

Thinking about it, the clippers have easily paid for themselves multiple times over at this point.

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Albert

I am a single man and would like to know how you can cut your own hair and make it look professionally done? I could sure do with the savings in time AND money!

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John C. Kirk

I’ve been cutting my own hair for about 16 years. As long as you want it short enough that it falls under a clipper setting, you don’t need to see what you’re doing. I just use the lawnmower approach, i.e. I keep going back and forth until no more hair comes away, then I run my hand over it to see whether it feels even.

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azphx1972

Mirrors help with the back. I keep my sides and back pretty short, so it’s not that difficult using clippers.

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Brian

I buzz mine (think “boot camp”), and it’s a piece of cake. The only tricky part is when you want to shave your neck to clean up the back — my wife helps with this. Between either cutting it myself or getting my wife to cut it, I’ve only paid for a haircut once in about the last 8 years, which as mentioned in the original post means I also haven’t had to deal with making appointments or waiting in line.

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Carlos Molina

My father has been cutting my eldest brother´s hair (34) since he was born. My 2cond brother´s hair until 25 and mine until 16. (Those are the ages we youngest brothers left home), totaling 75 years of free hair cuts. The “reconnect” side is really true. I discover it every time I pass by home and get a haircut.

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